by luckyshot_69 » Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:47 am
Hello to all members!
This is my first posting as I'm new to FMS. I must admit I'm a bit frustrated with the current methods of trying to get my transmitter to work with FMS software. After purchasing a simulator cable and connectors off of E-Bay that were set up to use with USB connections, this software bundle was part of the package as the software of choice to use with that cable interface.
It only took a minute or two to realize there was no way this was going to work as promised. I don't blame FMS, as I look deeper into the problems at hand it's obvious from all the posts I've read tonight that many of you are very happy with this software. Since I won't be getting it running anytime soon I'll just have to take your words that it runs great once you get your transmitter to communicate properly with the computer software bundle.
I think when people write about how they wish FMS should be made to run on modern computers, or maybe say something else that seems like a slam or putdown to FMS, it's not really. These people are just not wanting to have to go through a painstaking process of hand-making a cable that may or may not work. In fact the cable may damage the transmitter or even their computer if it's done improperly, and that is a scary prospect.
Take my transmitter as an example; Hitec Focus 6, or my Airtronics 4 ch Vanguard. So far I've seen nothing in any of the manual spec's or at this forum that give me proper instruction to create an interface with either of these transmitters.
The facts are simply this, this technology is not GUI Compatible. The transmitters are all cabled differently, signals of one manufacturer are on pin 1, and pin 5 on another. A standard for doing this does not exist, and you can't blame FMS for that. Each cable for each manufacturer is going to be different so the wiring must be compatible with that flavor of transmitter. The manufacturers were engineering a transmitter to be used with a wireless receiver not a GUI compatible interface, the wiring as for their protocols didn't require an international symetry, so it's not their fault either.
As the industry grows maybe we'll see something like GUI compatibility in the future, until then you have some choices to make. Accept the limits of this technology and do the work-arounds to accomplish what FMS stands for, creating an environment we can enjoy at little or no cost by using our minds with some added sweat and grit. If you still want the simulator experience but without that effort then spend your money to get a package deal where the transmitter is boxed up with the simulator software and properly engineered cables to match.
One thing I would like to suggest is a connector chart of 5, 6, & 7 pin connectors to parallel-port pin configurations. Having all known transmitter models listed, what the input and outputs are, and where they should go in relation to each other. Include where to place transistors and zenier diodes within the chart matrix. This would be a nice cook-book reference to creating cables for every flavor of transmitter being used today. I see the membership list, this forum has a tremendous recource to draw from, and it can be done.
Your Friend in the Air....and on the Ground!
Chuck.